Sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat

ABSTRACT

A sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat comprising: a plurality of resilient substrate emulating the density of the natural earth soil. Said substrate having adhered a plurality of artificial grass surfaces emulating the natural earth grass. Aforementioned sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat having a frame surround, whereas said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat and frame surround befall and exist amalgamated. Furthermore, said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat optionally attached to a container. Said container recessed below the earth surface allowing said simulated grass to maintain parallel plane with the natural earth grass surface. Furthermore said container shall be wrought and weighted to provide optimum stability for said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat. Furthermore said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat can be optionally independent of aforementioned container. Whereas, said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat can be optionally independent and in-ground, whereby said simulated grass maintains parallel plane with the natural earth grass surface. Aforementioned sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat being optionally independent of container and can be used above ground. Furthermore, said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat optionally independent of container and above ground used in conjunction with a separate standing mat. Aforementioned multi-purpose golf practice mat and said standing mat maintain parallel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf practice mat and moreparticularly pertains to simulating multiple surfaces that a golfer musthit off during a round of golf.

When a golf ball is hit with a golf club a divot is taken out of theground, a divot being a chunk of turf. In lieu of damaging their yards agolfer will normally go to a practice range and hit golf balls off arubber practice mat. Generally, these mats are laid on a concretesurface giving an unrealistic practice setting.

The present invention seeks to provide a golf practice mat with aplurality of golfing surfaces, whereby the practice mat can be placed inthe ground and at ground level, giving a realistic practice setting.Furthermore, the invention will eliminate divots being taken therebysaving the golfers landscape. Additionally, the golf mat can be removedand used in conjunction with a separate standing mat, allowing a mobilepractice area. Additionally, said mats can be easily replaced if worn.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ARTS

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,409 to Jackson, Jr.; CharlesHenry discloses a multi-section golf practice mat. While this devicefulfills its respective, particular objective and requirements, it doesnot describe a multi-section golf practice mat that can be sub-surfaceand still maintain the same parallel plane surface with the naturalearth. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,580 to Hammon and U.S. Pat. No.5,028,052 to Miller discloses a golf mat for practicing shots with thefeel of natural turf. While these devices fulfill their respective,particular objective and requirements, they do not describe amulti-section golf practice mat that can be sub-surface and stillmaintain a parallel plane with the natural earth surface. A furtherdrawback to the aforementioned prior arts is the size of theirembodiment, making the ease of use cumbersome. Yet another drawback ofthe aforementioned prior arts is the fact that they must be laid on aflat surface in order to eliminate ridges and valleys in which they aresusceptible to contour. A further drawback of the aforementioned priorarts being they can not have a sub-surface application while maintainingthe same parallel plane with the natural earth.

In this respect, the sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mataccording to the present invention substantially departs from theconventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing soprovides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of simulatingmultiple surfaces that a golfer must hit off of during a round of golfwhile maintaining a parallel plane with the natural earth grass surface.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need fora new and improved sub-surface, multi-purpose golf practice mat whichcan be used for simulating different surfaces that a golfer must hit offof during a round of golf while maintaining a parallel plane with thenatural earth grass surface. In this regard, the present inventionsubstantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known typesof golf simulation devices now present in the prior arts, the presentinvention provides an improved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practicemat. As such, the present invention will provide a new and improvedsub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat and method which has alladvantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention comprises a mat having a baselayer of rigid rubber material. Attached to one larger surface of themat includes a plurality of simulated grass. Said grass can have aplurality of different heights. Attached to another larger surface ofsaid mat and opposite of simulated grass shall be a sealing membrane.Furthermore, said mat includes a plurality of tee inserts. Theaforementioned mat shall be secured into a separate lower container.Said container shall be recessed below the earth surface allowing saidsimulated grass to be on the same parallel plane as the earths naturalgrass surface. Furthermore, said container shall be configured andweighted to provide optimum stability for said practice mat. Thus whilethe golfer stands on the natural earth they will be on the same parallelplane as the golf practice mat. Henceforth, the golfer can select thedesired simulated grass surface and striking the ball without makingdivots in the natural grass turf. Aforementioned simulated grass matbeing removable/replaceable also allows mobility of said mat. Therefore,the golfer can relocate said mat on the ground surface and secure to theground with securing means such as tent stakes. Furthermore, the golfercan employ yet another rubber standing mat for standing purposes. Saidstanding mat being the same thickness as aforementioned simulated grassmat allowing the golfer to be on the same planar level as said simulatedgrass mat.

Therefore, the golfer can position their self on the standing mat whilestriking golf balls off of the simulated grass mat.

Furthermore, once the simulated grass mat has been removed fromaforementioned container, a cover is then inserted into said containerprotecting container from foul weather.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of courseadditional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat which has all theadvantages of the prior art golf simulation devices and none of thedisadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat which may be easilyand efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat which is durableand reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat which issusceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materialsand labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices ofsale to the consuming public, thereby making such a sub-surfacemulti-purpose golf practice mat economically available to the buyingpublic.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide asub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat for simulating multiplesurfaces that a golfer must hit off of during a round of golf

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide asub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat incorporating a plurality ofremovable/replaceable simulated grass surfaces. Said mat being enclosedwithin a container. Said container shall be recessed below the earthsurface allowing said simulated grass to maintain parallel plane withthe natural earth grass surface. Said container shall be configured andweighted to provide optimum stability for said simulated grass. The newand improved sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat simulatingmultiple surfaces that a golfer must hit off of during a round of golf.The operation of said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat shallbe conducive to both left and right handed golfers.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thesub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat installed sub-surface inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thesub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat before being placed in asub-surface condition.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of thesub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken alongline A-A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is yet another cross-sectional view of the present inventiontaken along line A-A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken alongline B-B of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing how a cover plate is inserted.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a standing mat used in combinationwith the simulated grass mat.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the variousfigures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be best describedby referring to FIG. 1 thru FIG. 8. FIG. 1 being a perspective view ofthe preferred embodiment of the sub-surface multi-purpose golf practicemat installed sub-surface in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferredembodiment of the sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat beforebeing placed in a sub-surface condition. FIG. 3 is an exploded view ofthe preferred embodiment of the sub-surface multi-purpose golf practicemat, showing sub-container 10 configured to provide optimum stabilitymeans such as pyramid shaped. Said sub-container 10 shall be filled withweighted means such as sand. Channel railing 12 surrounding all sides,shall hold and support removable/replaceable mat 14 when slid intoplace. Mat 14 will have applied a plurality of simulated grass 16 (grasstexture removed for clarity). A membrane 18 backing means will provideseparation between weighted means contained in sub-container 10 andremovable/replaceable mat 14. Teeing means 20 (FIGS. 3,4,5,6) willprovide the user means to drive balls regardless if they are left orright handed.

Retaining strip 22 will be secured after removable/replaceable mat 14 isslid into channel railing 12 by retaining screws 26 (FIG. 5) insertedthrough retaining screw holes 24.

Now that the unit assembled has become one embodiment as shown in FIG. 2it can now be placed into the ground and covered completely with theexception of the most upper surface of channel railing 12, retainingstrip 22 and removable/replaceable mat 14 (FIGS. 3-4-5). Whereas saidembodiment will be on the same parallel plane with the natural earthgrass surface as shown in FIG. 1.

Now with attention to FIG. 7 showing a perspective view with mat 14(FIGS. 3,4,5,6,8) having been removed shows cover 30 replacing said mat14. Said cover being slid into channel 12 and secured by retaining strip22 using retaining screws 26 (FIG. 5) that pass through retaining screwholes 24 protecting container 10 from foul weather.

Further attention to FIG. 8 shows a perspective view illustrating howmat 14 having been removed from container 10 (FIGS. 3,4,5,6,7) nowstands alone and is secured to the ground with securing means such astent stakes being passed through eyelets 28.

Now standing mat 28 being part of the invention and having the samethickness as mat 14 and being secured to the ground with securing meanssuch as tent stakes through eyelets 34.

Thus the simulated grass practice mat 14 of the present invention hasbecome mobile and the golfer can stand on standing mat 32 and strikegolf balls off said mat 14 while maintaining the same parallel planewith said mat 14.

Now that the invention is explained in full, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that variations of the invention can be accomplishedwithout parting from the sprit of the inventions.

1. An apparatus for practicing golf comprising: (a) A plurality ofresilient substrate means emulating the natural earth soil density. (b)A plurality of artificial grass emulating the natural earth grass. (c)Bonding means unifying artificial grass and substrate. (d) Frame meanssurrounding said substrate. (e) Said frame surround and substrate befalland exist amalgamated. (f) Via amalgamation befall and exist asub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat. (g) Said frame surroundhaving provisional means for securing to the natural earth. 2.Sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat in claim 1 whereas saidsub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat rest optionally on or belowthe natural earth surface.
 3. Sub-surface multi-purpose golf practicemat in claim 2 resting below natural earth surface whereas artificialgrass in claim 1 will be on equal parallel plane with the natural earthgrass surface.
 4. Improved artificial grass in claim 3 overlaying saidframe surround in claim 1 for protection of fame.
 5. Improved overlay inclaim 4 assist protecting user's equipment.
 6. Furthermore a containerapparatus giving support to a sub-surface multi-purpose golf practicemat comprising: (a) A plurality of side members of equal length. (b) Abottom. (c) Receiving means for said sub-surface multi-purpose golfpractice mat. (d) Retaining means for said sub-surface multi-purposegolf practice mat.
 7. Container in claim 6 rest below the natural earthsurface.
 8. Side members in claim 6 joined and wrought for optimumresistance of movement when said container in claim 6 rest below thenatural earth surface.
 9. Bottom in claim 6 having means for drainage.10. Receiving means in claim 6 having secure means to uppermost surfaceof container.
 11. Retaining means in claim 6 temporarily securesub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat to container.
 12. Containerin claim 6 filled to bottom of said receiving means mentioned in claim 6with suitable substance means for stability.
 13. Suitable substancementioned in claim 12 giving support to sub-surface multi-purpose golfpractice mat mentioned in claim
 11. 14. Suitable substance mentioned inclaim 13 and said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat separateby sheeting means thereby retaining said substance within containermentioned in claim 12 when said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practicemat is optionally temporarily attached to said container. 15.Aforementioned container in claim 12 recessed below the natural earthsurface to a depth allowing artificial grass surface mentioned in claim1 to be on parallel plane with the natural earth grass surface whensub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat in claim 2 is optionallytemporarily attached to said container.
 16. Temporary attachment inclaim 15 allows said sub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat to beused optionally independent from said container.
 17. Furthermore a coverapparatus comprising: (a) Sheet material means for protection. Sheetmaterial means in claim 17 provide protection to seating area whensub-surface multi-purpose golf practice mat mentioned in claim 16 isremoved from seat.
 19. Furthermore a standing apparatus comprising: (a)Resilient sheet material means suitable to support a human. (b) Improvedsecure means attach sheet material to earth surface.
 20. Improved securemeans in claim 19 restrict movement of said sheet material.